Cripple Problem

[cripple farmboy]

I recently bought a new truck with a lift and a bunch of other equipment. In the past i drove just a normal car with hand controls and I could park in regular parking spots if i was in a pinch. Well with this new truck I have to have a handicap spot to park. The problem i have is my apartment complex only has 1 handicap spot for 3 buildings. There are a total of 15 buildings and only 5 handicap spots for the entire complex. Some mother fucker in a Ford Focus keeps parking in my spot. I know who it is and i would go tell them to move there shit but they live in the 3rd floor and there is no elevator. They have a handicap plate but they just like every other "disabled" person where its more mental then physical. Anyways, i know i need to talk to my apartment complex and tell them they need to make another handicap spot but has anyone ever had to deal with a similar situation like this? What's my best coarse of action without just completely going off on them???

[Deleted]

Try being polite and courteous but firm and just explain the situation first. That usually yields me the best results.

[Emma]

How 'bout just taking up 2 regular spots for a while and see how people like that?

[wheelz1979]

talk to your apt complex TRY to be nice about it [which is hard to do in our position] and let them know if the problem isn't solved you'll call the ADA [Americans with Disability Act] usually that'll get things fixed. they have a website also ADA.gov

[mike]

It seems to me that if there are more handicapped people than parking spaces, the apt complex should find a solution for you. They might simply be unaware, so that's where I would start.

I have a somewhat similar issue, but for me it's a bit different. It really isn't important for me to be close, what is important is the space. I am not in a chair, but wear KAFO's, so getting in & out of the car can be quite difficult unless the door is wide open. That's no problem at home, but when out & about can present a problem, depending upon the type of parking. I have a handicapped placard, but mostly don't use it, preferring instead to find a space where there is protected room on the driver side.

There have been times though, when there was plenty of space when parking, only to return & find somebody parked quite close to the drivers side, and I have resorted to finding some passer-by and asking them to back my car out of the space so I can climb in. That usually strikes them as an odd request, but they mostly agree.

[Deleted]

street parking an option ? city may add disabled space for you

[matisse]

I like Emma's solution. I do that all the time in parking lots when the dis spots are full. I do park farther away, to reduce the chances of someone taking it out on my minivan.....After a little while of using two, you could just tell mgmt--hey, since I am taking a couple spots anyway, why not make it official.

[Deleted]

Legally, I think the complex is probably compliant so threatening ADA violations will most likely hurt your cause. I would ask that that particular spot be assigned to you and put a "reserved" sign on it. They'll probably deny the request citing some rule about reserving spots or that everyone will want one but it never hurts to ask. Next, I'd ask in the form of a letter that they paint in another dis. space as a reasonable accommodation. Make sure you use the term "reasonable accommodation." If they deny you, talk to a fair housing worker, as residential housing doesn't fall under the ADA. Your local independent living center should have all this information.

[Deleted]

Oct 29, 2013 11:24:00 GMT -5 @mrniceguy said:

Legally, I think the complex is probably compliant so threatening ADA violations will most likely hurt your cause. I would ask that that particular spot be assigned to you and put a "reserved" sign on it. They'll probably deny the request citing some rule about reserving spots or that everyone will want one but it never hurts to ask. Next, I'd ask in the form of a letter that they paint in another dis. space as a reasonable accommodation. Make sure you use the term "reasonable accommodation." If they deny you, talk to a fair housing worker, as residential housing doesn't fall under the ADA. Your local independent living center should have all this information.

^^^ Great advice ^^^. If all that doesn't work is there anyway you could bring up the idea of getting out of your lease (without paying penalties) and suggest that you might move elsewhere? I like the idea of having plans A - Z.

[cripple farmboy]

Oct 29, 2013 11:24:00 GMT -5 @mrniceguy said:

Legally, I think the complex is probably compliant so threatening ADA violations will most likely hurt your cause. I would ask that that particular spot be assigned to you and put a "reserved" sign on it. They'll probably deny the request citing some rule about reserving spots or that everyone will want one but it never hurts to ask. Next, I'd ask in the form of a letter that they paint in another dis. space as a reasonable accommodation. Make sure you use the term "reasonable accommodation." If they deny you, talk to a fair housing worker, as residential housing doesn't fall under the ADA. Your local independent living center should have all this information.

Thank you sir. That's what I'm looking for.

When faced with this situation in the past I have always lucked out and found a spot next to the grass or like Emma said I would take up 2 spots. Unfortunately it didn't work out that way last night and even though I took 2 spots someone parked next to me. I had to call one of my employees to come to my apartment and back my truck up so I could get in. Oh the joys of being disabled lol

[Emma]

You should have called the apartment complex to help you.

[cripple farmboy]

Oct 29, 2013 12:41:50 GMT -5 Emma said:

You should have called the apartment complex to help you.

I would have but they don't open until 9 and the messaging system is useless. The maintenance guy lives right across from me so I knocked on his door this morning but no one ever answered. I'm cutting out of work early today so I can talk with the manager and hopefully resolve this problem.

[Deleted]

Oct 29, 2013 12:35:00 GMT -5 cripple farmboy said:

Oct 29, 2013 11:24:00 GMT -5 @mrniceguy said:

Legally, I think the complex is probably compliant so threatening ADA violations will most likely hurt your cause. I would ask that that particular spot be assigned to you and put a "reserved" sign on it. They'll probably deny the request citing some rule about reserving spots or that everyone will want one but it never hurts to ask. Next, I'd ask in the form of a letter that they paint in another dis. space as a reasonable accommodation. Make sure you use the term "reasonable accommodation." If they deny you, talk to a fair housing worker, as residential housing doesn't fall under the ADA. Your local independent living center should have all this information.

Thank you sir. That's what I'm looking for.

When faced with this situation in the past I have always lucked out and found a spot next to the grass or like Emma said I would take up 2 spots. Unfortunately it didn't work out that way last night and even though I took 2 spots someone parked next to me. I had to call one of my employees to come to my apartment and back my truck up so I could get in. Oh the joys of being disabled lol

No problem.

When I take two spots, I always make sure to park diagonally so that unless the person next to me parks as fucked up as I do, I'll still have some room. Lines mean almost nothing in most lots, especially when they're covered by snow. I say BE BOLD, park however you need to and dare someone to complain.

[roger888]

Late to this one.Any progress with the parking problem?

[zendog]

Parking wars I know them well I have had three cars keyed in the past and a few parking cards stolen in the summer , when I left the windows down ,once was ticketed for parking in handicapped zone with handicapped plates.Good luck ......